Digital Spy recently caught up with Sophie for a big chat about her Hollyoaks departure, her memories of Ellie and what's next for her career.

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A few weeks on from filming your final scenes, how are you feeling now that your time on Hollyoaks has come to an end?

"It's been such a culture shock coming away from filming for so many hours each day – I've got a lot more free time now! I've been enjoying having some time off and I've been away on holiday, but I'm already missing my Hollyoaks family."

We know that it was your choice to go. Why was it the right time?

"There probably never is a 'right time', but I'd been at Hollyoaks for three years and I'd had some amazing storylines during that time. So it just felt right to leave now, but I'm going to miss it so much."

Ellie is one of the few people to make it out of Hollyoaks alive…

"I know, can you believe it?!"

Were you pleased to get that happy ending?

"Absolutely. Ellie had been through so many heartaches and attempted murders and all sorts during her time on the show, so it was nice that she came out on top and had a nice exit.

"It was also nice that it tied in with Holly's exit. Leaving with Amanda Clapham was really, really nice for us both. I'm so happy to be a Nightingale who came out without being in a coffin!"

Did you enjoy getting a final showdown scene with Mac before you left?

"Yeah, I think that had to happen, didn't it? There'd been so much drama with Mac and Ellie that needed to be resolved, so I'm glad that they brought David Easter back. You got to see Ellie fired up and giving Mac a telling off.

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"I think everything has been rounded off really nicely with Ellie's departure. All of the different relationships were touched upon. She had a final scene with Mac, plus she left things well with Marnie and James. She also shared a little smile with Alfie before leaving.

"Ellie is leaving in the best possible way, with the fewest amount of enemies and with her best friend by her side. She hasn't had a whole lot of luck over the past three years, so I think she deserves a happy ending after everything that's happened in the village."

"I wasn't really involved in any of the stunts at Hollyoaks, so that would have been fun. But it's nice that the door has been left open. It's exciting to work on stunts because they're fun, but I like that we can imagine where Ellie has gone off on her travels. I think it's a nicer exit for her."

What were your Hollyoaks highlights?

"The best bit on the show was definitely filming in Ibiza. We had so much fun out there, especially as it came following quite a heavy storyline.

"The consent storyline was obviously my biggest one and something I'm really proud of. I still have people coming up to me in the street and talking to me about that storyline and how it's affected people. I'm really grateful that [executive producer] Bryan Kirkwood and the team at Hollyoaks trusted me with that."

"Yeah, I think that they're such strong embedded characters in the village now and I can't see them going anywhere for a while. I think people would be really upset to see more of the Nightingale family leave, so I think they've got a strong future in the village."

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How do you feel about Sami and Ellie not getting their happy ending?

"It's such a shame but if it had worked out, it would have meant that I was taking poor Rishi Nair out of a job, so it's probably for the best! I think their relationship was a bit of a non-starter which is a shame, but it was so messy from the start.

"I still have some fans tweeting me saying that they want Ellie and Freddie back together, so some people still seem quite invested in that relationship!"

The McQueens are taking over from the Nightingales at the pub. Do you think they have what it takes?

"I think they're going to do a fabulous job. I'm very much looking forward to seeing a McQueen-run pub! I couldn't think of anyone better to take over."

What are your future plans?

"Just to audition and hopefully take on some new roles. I'm excited to play a new character. There's no concrete plans right now, but I'm excited to see what the future holds."

"Never say never! I'll just see what other opportunities are out there right now, but I'm keeping all options open."

Do you think Hollyoaks could lure you back in the future?

"Who knows? It would depend on where I'm at and what the writers might want Ellie back for, but I certainly wouldn't close the door on ever returning."

This week on Twitter you opened up about suffering from anxiety. Was it easy to speak out?

today I was feeling so anxious and overwhelmed by life. I could feel a panic attack coming, I took a few breathes and phoned a friend. Everything feels a lot more manageable now. I just wanted to share incase someone reading this felt overwhelmed, know that you’re not alone❤️

Thanks for all your lovely messages yesterday. I wrote down everything that was making me anxious and it all seemed a lot more manageable seeing it on paper. I gave myself realistic tacks to do and got them done. Today I woke up feeling happy and new. I hope you do too. ❤️

"I was having such an anxious week and it was World Suicide Prevention Day the day before. I know that we have a young audience, so a lot of people will be looking at my Instagram and Twitter.

"I'm generally quite a happy, upbeat person, but I thought it'd be quite comforting for other people to see that I'm not always happy and everyone goes through difficult times, anxiety or stress. If sharing how I'm feeling helps someone else, then I'd like to do that.

"I got a lovely, warm response from people, who were saying that it was nice to know that other people feel that way. It just makes social media a nice place again. You can have loads of negativity on there, but it's really nice when you can share your thoughts when you're not feeling great and then hear back from people who are feeling the same way. That's nice and I'd like to see more of that."

How would you like the Hollyoaks fans to remember Ellie?

"Because she's been through so much heartbreak, I don't want people to think that she was down all the time! Despite going through hardships, she was a tough girl and she conquered a lot and came back with a smile. I'd like people to remember Ellie as a strong, independent woman."

Do you have any final words for the fans?

"I just want to say a massive thank you for the support. From day one, the fans have always been there – even standing outside the studios in the rain, or tweeting their support. The Hollyoaks fans are the absolute best and so supportive. I'll miss them all!"

Hollyoaks airs weeknights at 6.30pm on Channel 4, with first look screenings at 7pm on E4.